ICA could start collecting iris scans of Singaporeans next year

Iris images can be an additional identifier for ICA, besides photographs and fingerprints.

Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) could start collecting the iris scans from Singaporeans next year, according to a report by TODAY online.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), one of proposed amendments to the National Registration Act (NRA) states that the ICA will be allowed to collect iris images from Singapore citizens and permanent residents as an additional identifier, besides photographs and fingerprints.

"Iris scan is a proven technology. The collection and identification of iris images are convenient, contactless and non-intrusive. The use of iris scan technology will augment current identity verification methods using photographs and fingerprints," MHA wrote in the National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2016, which was introduced for first reading in the Parliament on Monday (10 October 2016).

The NRA was enacted in 1965 for the registration of persons in Singapore, and for the issuance of identity cards and related purposes. It was last amended in 1994.